Targeted Outreach in Georgia's Conservation Districts

 

The objective of Targeted Outreach in Georgia’s Conservation Districts is to improve the Natural Resources Conservation Service's program delivery by increasing producers’ awareness of programs available to underserved groups.  The project has increased Georgia NRCS employees’ awareness of the importance of working with underserved groups as program delivery barriers have been discussed and partners have collaborated on more effective approaches to program delivery.

The 2008 Farm Bill addresses the unique concerns of historically underserved individuals and groups.  These groups include:

  • beginning farmers - individuals or entities who have operated a farm for fewer than 10 consecutive years; individuals must participate substantially in the operation of the farm
  • socially disadvantaged farmers - individuals subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as a member of a group; includes American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asians, African Americans, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics (gender is not included) 
  • limited-resource farmers - individuals who have direct or indirect gross farm sales of not more than $155,200 in each of the previous 2 years; total household  income at or below the national poverty level for a family of four or < 50% of county median household income in each of the previous 2  years 
  • small-scale farmers - individuals who farm fewer than 150 acres; income limit of $50,000 adjusted gross family income; at least 10% of cropland acres planted to alternative crops

Bethesda School organic gardenFinancial and technical assistance and improved access to USDA programs are available for voluntary participants.  The 2008 Farm Bill sets aside: 

  • 5% of available Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds to assist beginning farmers and 5% to assist socially disadvantaged farmers 
  • 5% of available Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) acres to assist  beginning farmers and 5% to assist socially disadvantaged farmers 
  • 90% of the costs associated with planning and implementing conservation measures for socially disadvantaged farmers; up to 30% of such payments may be provided in advance for materials or contracting

An applicant must be an agricultural producer who produces a minimum of $1,000 in agricultural products produced and/or sold for 2 of the past 5 years or file IRS Schedule F showing profit or loss from the farming operation.  More information may be found at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs.